Beatrice Fontanel

Both p85

Until the 20th century, corsets concentrated on the waist, usually stopping at the top of the hips, and they were usually worn with full skirts or dresses to emphasise the slimness of the waist. But about the end of the 19th century skirts became slimmer, and corsets began to extend downwards, until by 1913 they had grown to an unprecedented length. This is demonstrated by the these illustrations from the book "Support and Seduction: A History of Corsets and Bras", by Beatrice Fontanel.

The garment in the righthand illustration would appear to have been drawn onto the figure, and can be assumed to represent the ideal line, rather than a real garment. However there can be no argument with the garment shown on the left. In it the front busk is so long that it would seem to be almost impossible for the model to sit down. However, although the corset comes halfway down to the knees, and has lacing all the way down, it appears to be flared out below the hips, so that the the lower part is not touching the legs at all. If this is so, it is difficult to see the justification for making the garment so long. On the other hand, if the bottom half of the garment were laced tightly, so that the legs were clamped together, it would be almost impossible for the wearer to walk at all.

It has been suggested that these garments were designed to be worn under hobble skirts, and that the purpose of the extension was to prevent the wearer from taking a too-long step, so that she would not tear her flimsier skirt.

 

 

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